February 29, 2012

It's day two of Amy Jo's Birthday Blog Hop and I hope you have enjoyed it so far. There are some "Goodies" to be won along the way.

Just become a follower of the Blogs you visit and leave them a lovely comment if you like what you see.

We don't have to make any special project ... just use Amys' favorite colours of Pink, White and Black or any character from Alice in Wonderland and it can be anything you like.

We only needed to make one thing over the two days so there was plenty of time to go hopping.

But I am adding another birthday project here in pink and white as they are my favorite colours too

This little gift incorporates some tealight candles and they smell gorgeous.

If you want to make one of these for yoursefl you will find the written instructions and a short Video Tutorial on the website.

The flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts and the candles are from Ikea... lots of them in a box .

The Pink Polka dot ribbon is from Fantastic Ribbons and they have a lovely selection for you.

If you landed here from Anita then you are in the right place and your next stop is at Naomis'

But if you just happened on my Blog today... or you got lost along the way then start again at Amy Jo's so that you don't miss any of the fun.

I have some "Goodies" up for grabs too and all you have to do is join the followers and leave me a comment and I will draw a name at random to win these three sets of clear stamps after the Blog Hop is done.

This is a two-day hop, however, we are only making one project. That should give you two full days to go through the entire hop and leave comments and become followers of each blog, if you are not already, to be entered to win some of our sponsored prizes!

Some of the blogs may be offering blog candy as well so this is a hop you're going to want to finish.

I am offering three sets of clear stamps to followers of my Blog so to be in with a chance to win join the gang and leave me a comment. The winner will be chosen at random on the 1st March.

Thank you so much for joining us and helping us celebrate along with Amy! Your next stop is the talented Naomi and I hope you are enjoying the hop.

February 25, 2012

I am really enjoying making these felt flowers and I think they make the card just that little bit different.

I have today made a video to feature another card made with the Spellbinders and it includes these flowers as part of the title. It should be available tomorrow so I hope you will give it a viewing.

The background to this card is made using the Impressabilites onto some Parchment ... and the effect was very subtle. I lightly ran over it with some distress inks and then attached it to the card base with some small white brads.

The flowers and leaves are felt and I used the Spiral Blossom 1 die and the Foliage leaf set. The ribbon is a pale blue gingham and I havae used a pearl buckle as added decoration to the top.

The butterflies are from another Spellbinder and I have dotted Cosmic Shimmer Pearl PVA onto the body line of each one.

Now I know it's a bit early for butterflies ... but in my world there are always beautiful butterflies.

February 24, 2012

Adding embellishments to my cards is one of the things that I really enjoy doing and I openly admit to being a "More is More" kind of cardmaker. I just love all the pretty things that go to making a truly feminine card .... not much good with male cards!!

Yesterday I covered felt flowers created with Spellbinders and today I would like to show you some beautiful Hatpins.

These are always a luxury touch and they are not hard to do. There is a video on the website about Decorating Hatpins

The Hatpins that I use are 3" long and come complete with end protectors as a safety feature ... and that way the recipient cannot hurt herself on the sharp point.

I buy mine from the Sparkles Group and they are offering you a 5% discount on your purchases.

Make your choice ... and at the checkout add the code CGDIS5 and the discount will be automatically applied.

You will find the pins in gold and silver and in different lengths in "Specialist Findings"

Add the pins to the card ... threaded through ribbons or flowers ... but don't forget to tell the recipient that the pins can be removed and used as a lapel pin for her jacket.

February 23, 2012

I am sure you know by now that I love to add flowers to my cards whenever I can ... and so this morning I bought lots of felt squares in different colours. It was not expensive (47pence) and each sheet is about the size of A4 card ... so not a bad price!

With the help of the Spellbinder Spiral Blossom I set to and cut out flowers in most of the colours and leaves from the Foliage dies in the two shades of green .

I was very pleased with the result and used my hot glue gun to hold the flowers together ... but if you don't have one then a few stitches will keep them in place.

On some of them I have gone around the edge with glitter glue and left it to dry and that gives a really pretty effect.

And this is the card I made with one of the flowers tucked in place along some satin ribbon.

I have added a bow and there is a piece of Card Candi added to the centre to neaten the knot.

A miniature tag tucked under the flowers says "With Love" and then I added the Pearls along the edges as a finishing touch.

A card that is very feminine and "Mothers Day" is just around the corner.

February 22, 2012

Can you hear it??? It's blowing a gale out there and I still have to go out and do my shopping.

Yesterday I was card making again and this time I was asked to make a really special birthday card for an 80th Birthday.

The requirement was that the card had to ... be a large card (yep can do that) ... be in pink (no problem there then)...to have ribbon on it (that's my kind of card)... to have flowers on it ...(Oh! it just got better and better) ... and to have a matching box (Oh Yes... all sorted)

Here is the card I came up with and when the young man came to collect it he seemed quite pleased with it ... but you know what men are like... they say yes it's fine and that's it ... so who knows... but he did give his permission to show you the card so here it is....

... and here is the box to match... complete with Flowers, Ribbons and Pearls .... OooooH! that title rings a bell.

And now I am off to the supermarket for goodies....anybody fancy meeting up for a coffee????

My daughter says that pensioners (me) should only shop on weekdays and leave the supermarket free on Saturdays for those who have to work during the week ... I won't repeat what I replied.

February 21, 2012

I have been working to prepare a very Special Christening card. It is for my Great Grand-daughter.

She was born last October and is my grandson's first child.

The Christening is on the 25th March and she will be named Isabella Mandy Victoria and she is simply beautiful.

I have used the "Bookatrix" embossing board from the The Glitter Girls to create the pages and dressed up each one individually before sticking them together... but then I have added the whole lot to an A5 card with the fold at the top and this will allow the "book" to stand up.

I have made it in pale pinks and white with the addition of feathers and ribbons and a pretty pink Hatpin in the centre... and I really am pleased with the result.

The flowers on the front of the card are from Wild Orchid Crafts. The feathers were in my "stash"

I hope that her parents will keep the card safe for her until she gows up a little, and then show it to her and tell her it was all hand made by her Great Grandmother with lots and lots of love.

I made a box to give the card and I have lined it with pale pink tissue paper... and of course the Spellbinders came in really useful too.

Just need to lose two stone and a new dress for the day and then I'm done....

The LIEBSTER BLOG AWARD is used to show appreciation of smaller blogs (under 200 followers) and to help spread readership and joy.

As part of the tradition the award is to be passed along to five other blogs that have motivated and inspired me.

It comes from the German meaning Dearest or Beloved, but can also mean Favourite.

To accept the Award you must:
1. Link back to the persons blog who gave it to you, and thank them.
2. Post on your blog.
3. Give to five other Bloggers who you appreciate and value.
4. Leave a comment on the five blogs you choose and let them know.

These are the choice I have made, and why, that I would like to pass the award on to ...

Creative Bug on the Loose ... Naomi as she was the one that encouraged me to start the Blog in the first place.... so this is all her fault!

Crafty Bloggers ... Kathleen as she was the one who helped me to remove the annoying Word Verification from the Blog.

February 19, 2012

The sun is still gracing us with it's presence and it has been really lovely day. I took my film crew (Griff) out to lunch and he enjoyed it very much.

There is nothing like a good Roast Beef and Yorkshire pudding ... unless of course you make it your self ...and I couldn't be bothered. So it was out to the nearest restaurant for that delicacy and it slipped down very easily too I might add.

The new video has been added to the website and it features this lovely card. It is an 8" square and I have also included how to make a feature of the back of the card too, so it looks good from every side.

You don't need to buy larger card stock for this as you can get the look from your A4 card quite easily.

And this is another idea that you won't be disapointed in if you use the Spellbinders that you have in your collection.

February 18, 2012

It's weekend and the sun is shining and I have got loads done today. Feeling quite pleased with myself on the quiet.... though none of it is housework!!

I have been filming again with my film crew (Griff) and we have two more videos ready to go.

This is one of the featured cards and I just love this pink and white colour way as it always looks so fresh and spring like.

This card is staying with the same set of beautiful dies that I have been using in all the other Spellbinder Tutorials as they are such a versatile combination, and the cards that you can make will all be stunning.

There need be no end to your creativity and you will always be pleased with the result ....guaranteed!

So I have no excuses left .... Blog done, cards made, Facebook updated, emails answered.... and now I have to go and take the vacuum cleaner for a walk around the house.... but tomorrow.... well tomorrow is Sunday and I have promised to take my film crew (Griff) out for Sunday lunch and hopefully the sun will shine yet again.

February 17, 2012

I have been colouring in my own digital downloads, or creating paintings, for quite some time now and I have tried lots of different colouring mediums.

I love to watercolour with Distress Inks as it gives such a lovely finish to my projects.

There are many tutorials on the subject of using distress inks (including mine) for some really good tips on how to get the look you want.

Over the years I have used Pastels, Oils, Pencils and Acrylics ... but then along came Alcohol Pens and the whole world changed.

They opened up a whole new area for the colourist and they give such professional results even if you are not an artist.... and I don't for one minute claim to be an artist.

Some of the brands I have tried have been Copics, Sakura, Flexmarkers, Promarkers and Aquamarkers.

But the ones I am trying at present are the new Spectrum Noir pens from Crafters Companion

This is such a pleasant way to colour in, and the colours blend in beautifully ... but don't let the kids have them ...Oh No!!

The image is another of the "Wrinklies" from Just Inklined and this delighful character is Albert.

He has been coloured with the new pens and I am very happy with the result.

I will certainly be practising more with this system and perfecting my skills with the blending so that I can get the best results possible with these pens ... and hopefully the recipients of my cards will like what they get.

And a quick P.S. and that is the New Video that I made on Monday is now on the website and I hope you will enjoy it.

February 16, 2012

These cards are more from Just Inklined. I got my images when they were offered for free as I always love a good freebie ... Oh Yes!! The gorgeous Maude was also from them.

You can buy them as indivdual images from their website, but now they have added them all to CD's.

There is the "Big One" and "The Next Big Thing" and both offer you really good value for your money ... and if you don't feel confident enough colouring in then the digi stamps come ready coloured too.

I have had both of these for a while now and had the chance to look around them, and there is something for every age group and gender on them. You will be able to make a card for any occasion.

This lovely scene above is the "Terraced Houses", it has been coloured in with Promarkers... and the flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts ... and of course the Spellbinders to create the shape to mount the image onto.

This one is the "Post Office" and is a very pretty scene. I have added some text paper for the backgound.

This one above is "Kiss the Cook" and would be ideal to send for a summer birthday ... especially to the man that does all the cooking at family get togethers ... like Griff!!

The background to this card is the Faux Leather Technique and the link will take you to the video tutorial for how to get the look. All you need is some masking tape and your Distress Ink.﻿

I just love this cute character with his carrot, and I have made this up into female cards, with great success as well as this one on a more male theme.

I don't think you would be disapointed with either of the CD's and you are sure to be kept busy for quite some time .... have fun!

February 13, 2012

I love to make girly cards because then I can go to town on all the lovely embellishments that I have in my ever growing "Stash" ... you know the one I mean .. the one that spreads all over the house in no time at all ...

Yes? You got one of those too?

Feathers, lace, gemstones, flowers, ribbons and pearls just add the finishing touch, and if it's pink as well .... what can I say ... I am in heaven!!

But having said that I love this card I have made in blue. It is a pre coloured image from the Pretty Sweet CD from Polka Doodles and there are several little girls for you to choose from ... you will be spoilt for choice.

There are backing papers and sentiments for you to add to your designs to compliment the look, and with the addition of the ribbons from Fantastic Ribbons what more could you want.

There are also some un-coloured images on there too, so that you can print them off and use your favourite medium to add the colours of your own choosing.

This one has been coloured in with the Spectrum Noir pens from Crafters Companion and they are very easy to use to give you professional results.

The finishing touch on both of these cards is the beautiful flowers and there is a huge selection of colours and styles from Wild Orchid Crafts

They have flowers that will suit any season and some fabulous embellishments that you can choose to add to your cards.

And both of these cards have boxes that have been decorated to match them as a special touch.

February 12, 2012

Today has been far from relaxing and there have been three videos made over the weekend.

The one I mentioned yesterday has now been added and if you refer back to yesterdays post then you will be able to use the link. It will take you to the White on White card featured with the Spellbinders.

But next week is Valentines Day. Have you got your card ready to send to the one you love?

I have and here is a sneaky preview of Griffs card. I have kept the colours gentle (just like him) and I hope he will like it.

The top part of the card has been embossed with an embossing folder from Creative Expressions Look for "That Special Touch" for the masks to give some really pretty ideas.

This one is the Vintage Plumes.

The bottom is covered with some stripey paper and the join is covered with the Hearts Border from .... Yes you guessed it ... Spellbinders!!

I have also used the Scalloped Hearts and the Classic Hearts amd added gingham ribbon for the bows, and threaded throught the border.

February 11, 2012

Today has been very busy with preparing another video that I want to add to the website and I hope you will enjoy making this White on White Card card.

It is another staying with the Spellbinder theme as they have been very popular... and yep! Griff had to get his ladder out again!!

I have stayed with the same set of dies that I suggested in the other Spellbinder Videos so that people will have the chance to get more comfortable using them... but it doesn't matter which sets you have they will ALL make gorgeous cards.

The video will show you how to make this Special card and it would be lovely to give it as a Wedding Card. You could personalise it with the happy couples names or the date of the Wedding day... and it needn't be all one colour﻿.

You could add in the Brides colour choice and make it even more special for her.

Or how about making it in a rich ruby red, gold, silver or pearl for those extra "Special Anniversaries" and once again add the couples names to the front of the card.

The list goes on and on .... and once I get started on Spellbinders there's just no shutting me up.

February 10, 2012

As you know I am very new to the Blogging world and learning something every day. But I was asked to turn the annoying word verification OFF ... which apparently is on by default.

Well! I pressed every button and link on this interface and I could not find it any where.

Blogger is now using a new style look to the Dashboard, and as I am new, this is the only one I have used. So I was at a loss on how to do this.

I was sent a link from a kind follower (Thank you Wendy) and she pointed me in the direction of another Blog that may be able to help.

So over I went, but I couldn't follow those directions either ... because there is nowhere on the new style dashboard to switch the word thingy off.

My little fingers flew over the keyboard to email the Blog owner for more help and she duly wrote back to me .... and she couldn't find it anywhere either.... So at least I didn't feel quite as stupid.

But Kathleen at Crafty Bloggers very kindly gave me further instructions and now I am pleased to say that ... word verification is OFF.

So thanks Kathleen too for your help, and if you are stuck with anything then she is willing to help you sort it out.

February 09, 2012

I love to make cards with Spellbinders as the result is almost guaranteed. But what to do with the little bits that you are left with when you have cut something out.

Well the simple answer is don't just throw them all away as they can be used on other projects to great effect. I am not for one minute suggesting that you keep every single bit ... but be selective and see what comes to mind.

Just get your imagination going and you can find some way to incorporate some of them onto your cards.

I cut out the large shape from the Holly Motifs in black card for another project, and there are some large and interesting shapes that remain... so being a frugal crafter I wanted to make use of them.

The black edging on the left of this card has all those left over bits looped over the main card and the effect is rather good ... well I thought so!

So it pays to look at all these dies in a different way and make use of what is otherwsie known as scrap.... and create for yourself some lovely cards.

February 08, 2012

Well I have been up since 5am ... couldn't sleep with things whirring round my head ... and yet I don't seem to have done very much so far.

I have all sorts of ideas buzzing away and I have to get them down on paper before I forget, ( sign of age!!) and so when I wake in the middle of the night the brain starts going and that's it for me ... no more sleep.

So rather than lie there thinking ... go to sleep, go to sleep, I may as well get up and get something done. So this is what I have achieved this morning.

These young men are more of the digital drawings from Showers of Cards and Flowers and they are "freebies" so grab them while you can. They have been coloured in with Distress Ink ... and there's not a flower in sight, not even a trace of pink. (Sigh!)

I have covered the process of using these fabulous inks to water colour with and the tutorial is in three parts. One features the skin, the second the hair and the third the clothes.

February 06, 2012

Whew! thank goodness for that. After the problems yesterday when trying to add the new video I am happy to say that it is now sorted. And so this where you will find the tutorial to create thisAperture Card with Spellbinders.

The videos will now be in High Defintion to show more detail and the music in the background has had to be changed as the other one was lost along with the software used for editing them.

But the new piece is vey pleasant and relaxing so I hope you will enjoy the tutorials just the same.

So this is the card that I wanted to share with you and this is the lilac version of it. But it would look just as good in any colour. Imagine it all in white for a really special wedding card.

There are some neat ideas for the ribbon as well and it gives a real vintage look to organza.

The flowers and leaves are all cut from Spellbinders and you will find here the tutorial to show you how to Create Your Own Pearls

I am going to de stress now with a nice cup of Cappucino ... any body want one???

February 05, 2012

Over the three years that Card Making Magic has been around I have made several video tutorials that have been added regularly. Just short ones so that you don't have time to fall asleep ... but long enough to show you what I am trying to achieve.

We have had slight hitches along the way but usually things go well. So let me tell you how they are produced. My husband (Griff) stands on his little ladder and films over my shoulder ... and whenever my head gets in the way he pulls my hair to get me out of the shot.... and sometimes he misses and oops! there's my head. (Soreeee!)

We laugh and we argue while these films are being made but hopefully you find them enjoyable.

So yesterday we made a video of the making of this card and I was hoping to add it to YouTube later in the day. Everything went well and the cards turned out very pretty .... but when we came to the editing of it something went really wrong.

As the PC was turned on the message read that there was an error and that the software used to edit the video was irrepairably damaged and should be removed. So what should have been a relatively quick task turned into an all day job and at the end of it .... still no video was produced.

So this morning the task is on to start again and hope fully Griff (who does the editing) will be able to sort things out. But we think that the music will be lost and all the start and end bits to the videos will have to be done again so it may take us a little time to get sorted.

It is a much prettier card in real life than the photo shows and as soon as I can I will get the video on the card onto the website..... once my production team (Griff) gets things as he wants them again.

February 04, 2012

Naomi is just venturing out into the world of creating digital images and there are more for you on her pages.
This is my interpretation of her lovely duck and I have used a template for Creating Clouds

Pay her a visit and see what else is on offer as a "Freebie" .... I love a freebie!

There are two images for you to download and one of them is already coloured. The other is a line drawing that you can colour your self and make the most of any of the colouring mediums that you have ... and make him a her if you wish....there's nothing wrong with a pink or a blue duck!!

The flying birds are hand drawn, just little "V" with a fine liner pen, and the fence is a small stamp from one of the sets from Polka Doodles range of stamps. All the individual elements in the collections can be used on other designs with great effect.

With the addition of some Googly eyes and ribbon from my "Stash" I think he looks rather cute and ideal for a small childs' birthday..... but what do you think?

February 03, 2012

This is a card I entered into a magazine competition last year ... but I didn't win (Sob)

The image is "Daydream Believer" from the SWALK collection from Crafters Companion and there are lots of different designs to choose from ... and some to suit all your male cards too.

The style of card is a Pocket Card and it is very easy to create. It just takes two matching pieces of card to make the pocket in the centre, and in there you could add a gift token or just a pretty sentiment or verse.

All the instrutions to make this and many other folds are at Card Making Magic and it would suit any occasion.

The beautiful flowers are all from Wild Orchid Crafts and there many, many styles of flowers to wet your appetite, as well as other gorgeous embellishments that you won't be able to resist.

For me flowers make such a pretty addition to all your girly cards.... and I am happy to make girly cards till the cows come home. Especially pale coloured ones....

The ribbon is from my "Stash" and the Butterfly is from a Martha Stewart punch.

And if you make the card why not add it to a matching box and then send it with lots of love.

February 02, 2012

I have finally been persuaded to join the ranks of Bloggers and this is the start with my very first post.

I have been making cards for a number of years and when I first started they were not very good... but having said that I sold many of them and the buyers came back for more. I even had commisions to work to and that was very complimentary to me... and a great boost to my confidence.

I bought so much crafting stuff, and some of it not very good, that quickly filled my dining room with boxes and bits... and was a massive task to clear everything away every time we had someone for dinner. So from there I progressed to the small bedroom ... which my husband was using as his hobby room... and he was relagated to the dining room instead (poor man)

But it made more sense to craft in an area that I could close the door on each time I had done some cards.... hides the mess you see!!

Soon I wanted to do more and so I started researching into taking this further. My first idea was to create a website that would be full of information and projects for "NEWBIES"

A website that would be easy for people to follow and so in 2009 Card Making Magic was born

I worked hard and added as much as I could to the information that I was giving to create a particular look so that others would be able to follow my ideas. I started with the basics of what you would need to get going with this lovely hobby and worked my way up to adding Video Tutorials.

Lots of poeple ...me included ... like to watch something being done before it sinks in and so that seemed the next step to take. There are lots of easy techniques and card ideas in the videos and as the time on YouTube has been extended I am able to do more.

As Card Making Magic reaches it's third birthday it continues to go from strength to strength and there are a lot more ideas and projects all buzzing around in this head and I can't wait to show them to you.

I am always amazed when I get the emails telling me how much my website is appreciated and that people come back time and time again, and hopefully now they will have a blog to visit too with more information and cards that will help all new Cardmakers get started.

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you will come and visit me here and on the website over and over again.